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Jump in injuries at trampoline centres prompts WorkSafe visits

Author
Kurt Bayer of the NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Tue, 25 Oct 2016, 12:07PM
(Getty Images).
(Getty Images).

Jump in injuries at trampoline centres prompts WorkSafe visits

Author
Kurt Bayer of the NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Tue, 25 Oct 2016, 12:07PM

WorkSafe inspectors will start visiting trampoline parks across New Zealand from today to ensure they are meeting health and safety rules after a recent spike in injuries.

Christchurch emergency doctors have seen 28 injuries in just two months from indoor trampoline parks in the city, including two people who broke their necks.

A teenage boy suffered serious spinal injuries at Mega Air Trampoline Arena on October 3.

WorkSafe has launched an investigation into that incident.

Now, the health and safety watchdog has launched a nationwide initiative to ensure tramp parks across New Zealand are meeting their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

"We will be reminding the operators that they have a requirement to notify WorkSafe of health and safety-related incidents," Brett Murray, WorkSafe general manager operations and specialist services said." 

WorkSafe says it is aware that there has been a spike in injuries relating to trampolines since 2014 when the commercial trampoline park industry began to expand.

Part of the visit programme is to "get a clearer picture on this emerging industry" to help define what, if any, follow-up action may be required.

"Trampoline parks are a new, fast-growing industry and WorkSafe has released a safety bulletin that contains important information on meeting their obligations around health and safety," Murray said.

"We want to help educate these businesses around their health and safety obligations to keep users of the facilities safe, make sure they are managing their risks, and put right any safety concerns.

 "We will also be taking a closer look at the designers and installers of these parks to make sure they are all doing everything reasonably practicable to manage the risks for staff and users of the parks." 

Earlier this month, CDHB's emergency department director Dr Scott Pearson said he has seen a cluster of injuries linked to two new Christchurch trampoline parks which opened in August.

Injuries included two broken necks, fractures, lacerations and serious spinal and facial injuries, CDHB said.

"We have seen a cluster of trampoline-related injuries in recent months, linked to the two new indoor trampoline parks in the city," Dr Pearson said.

Mega Air Trampoline Arena director Matthew Haselden earlier said the operation has robust health and safety measures.

"Every customer is required to follow rigorous safety precautions and take part in a safety induction, which includes viewing a health and safety video," he said.

"There are also between five and 11 jump guards plus a duty manager supervising the facility at all times."

"Real-time video footage allows staff to watch, review and assess safety at all times."

Haselden said Mega Air was the country's biggest trampoline centre. It opened in Christchurch on August 16 and more than 31,000 people had visited the centre since.

"We are very upset that this injury has occurred and we have been in regular contact with the boy's father to offer support," Haselden said.

"What happened [on October 3] appears to have been a freak accident."

- NZ Herald

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